Team India has another herculean task at hand. They saved the Manchester Test despite being 0-2 while trailing by 311 runs. Now, they have to win at the Oval to level the series at 2-2. It won’t be easy. But this young team has outdone themselves when under pressure. The big battle Team India will have to fight is fitness.
Only change in batting lineup: Jurel for Pant
Rishabh Pant, India’s best batter in the 2020s, won’t be available. Either Dhruv Jurel or Narayan Jagadeesan will take his place. Jurel hasn’t played a Test match since November 2024, while Jagadeesan’s maiden Test call-up is this year. Whoever comes in has a tall task ahead of them.
Most likely, it’ll be Jurel who comes in. Not only has he played Test cricket before, but the wicketkeeper also played an all-timer of a knock in Ranchi last year against the same opposition. Jurel played for India A before the series and did splendidly. He has also been the gloveman in Pant’s absence.
Other than this, there will be no changes in the batting lineup. Sai Sudharsan showed he’s here to stay in Test cricket with that important 61-run knock in Manchester, and that’s the only shot that was up for grabs before the series.
Rest Bumrah, drop Kamboj
Jasprit Bumrah has completed his pre-decided quota of Test matches to be played in England. Even that wasn’t easy. He was off-kilter in Manchester. His speed and accuracy were way down. Many believed Bumrah was carrying an injury, but bowling 33 overs, the second-most after Ravindra Jadeja, would suggest otherwise.
The turnaround between Lord’s and Old Trafford was 8 days, yet Bumrah wasn’t at his best. Do we really expect him to be 100% at the Oval after a 3-day rest? One would think not. An extra push could result in a career-ending injury. Surely that’s not worth levelling the series at 2-2.
As for Anshul Kamboj, he wasn’t at his best either. There is a line of thought that the debutant wasn’t at 100% physically. His speeds, 125-130 km, would suggest so. Seen as a line and length bowler, Kamboj was all over the place. Whatever it was, it’s tough to see him continue after a tough outing in Manchester.
Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav & Prasidh Krishna into the mix
Akash Deep has reportedly regained his fitness. He was Bumrah’s replacement at Edgbaston, and the same should happen at the Oval. Shardul Thakur will have to be dropped. Most of it was his fault. Giving away 55 runs in 11 overs meant that Shubman Gill didn’t trust him to bowl enough. There is no point in playing 4 fast bowlers if you don’t trust one of them to actually bowl.
Kuldeep Yadav should replace him. Not only is the Oval a flat surface that might suit spinners, but after Bumrah, Kuldeep might be India’s best wicket-taking option. Gill and Gautam Gambhir were hesitant to bring him before Nitish Reddy got injured. Shardul’s ineffectiveness suggests Kuldeep could play.
The last change would be Prasidh Krishna returning. The tall pacer hasn’t met the expectations. But will Arshdeep Singh, a swing bowler, be the best option on a flat track? No is the answer. For all his issues, Prasidh might be the best wicket-taking option after the new ball stops aiding the fast bowlers.
Siraj to brave on
Mohammed Siraj should ideally be rested. But if Bumrah doesn’t play, someone has to lead the pace attack. Siraj was exceptional at Edgbaston in Bumrah’s absence and is expected to repeat the same. He’s got niggles and will surely be tired, but if Siraj is known for something, it’s giving his all. He’ll definitely do that for Team India at the Oval.
Predicted India Playing XI for Oval Test
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Bench: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Anshul Kamboj, Narayan Jagadeesan (wk), Rishabh Pant (ruled out)
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